Whitaker council approves police deal

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Whitaker council unanimously approved a three-year agreement with Teamsters Local 205 for its police force on Wednesday.

Solicitor George Janocsko said borough police will see their wages increase by $1.40 over the next three years.

“The wage increases that have been negotiated are consistent with past settlements in the last couple collective bargaining agreements we've reached with Teamsters 205,” Janocsko said.

He said details of the agreement should help the borough with its recent staffing problems.

“The new contract will have language that should address some of the issues with respect to call-offs,” Janocsko said. “It places greater accountability on the officers.”

But Janocsko said the main positive aspect of the agreement might be that it was reached amicably.

“Reaching an agreement voluntarily with the police always removes the wild card of having to proceed through arbitration,” he said. “And arbitration is costly because the cost of conducting the proceedings has to be paid for by the municipality and there would be no assurance that the borough's position would be sustained.”

Tim Karan is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-664-9161, ext. 1970, or tkaran@tribweb.com.

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